Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has pledged to transform Gwadar into a state-of-the-art maritime and logistics center, bolstering national interests and driving regional socio-economic advancement.

During a Gwadar visit, Chaudhry met with Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor ul Haque, who provided updates on the port’s operations, current projects, and prospective strategies. The minister stressed practical measures to improve port efficacy, concentrating on prosperity, inclusivity, and national pride. He noted the untapped economic capacity of Balochistan’s coastal and agricultural areas, citing prospects in fishing and date cultivation in Gwadar, Panjgur, and Kech districts.

The Makran coast provides 40% of Pakistan’s fish harvest, while Kech and Panjgur yield over half of the nation’s premium dates. A 30-40% post-harvest waste due to insufficient value-addition resources hampers export possibilities. Chaudhry urged public and private investment in processing facilities for fish and dates, emphasizing the need for cold storage and logistics systems to facilitate exports.

Plans for an Off-Dock Terminal near the New Gwadar International Airport were also discussed. The 100-acre terminal will be a central point for container and cargo management, offering significant logistical advantages, particularly for landlocked Central Asian nations like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, by decreasing their transport expenses.

The PKR 497 million terminal, slated for completion within a year, will reduce demurrage fees, boost trade assurance, and increase revenue generation via Gwadar Port, according to the Gwadar Port Chairman. Chaudhry also toured the China Business Center, receiving briefings on the Gwadar Port, Free Zone, Gwadar International Terminal, and associated infrastructure ventures. Satisfied with the progress, he directed authorities to accelerate endeavors and implement improvements to sustain the current pace.